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Who Is Reading Your Mammogram? It Makes a Difference.October 07, 2015

ADDISON, TEXAS (Oct. 7, 2015) — Solis Mammography reminds women that it’s time to schedule their annual mammogram. And this year, Oct. 16, National Mammography Day, is the perfect day to do it!

Typically observed on the third Friday every October, President Bill Clinton proclaimed the first National Mammography Day in 1993.

“Mammograms are all about taking charge of a healthy life,” says Connie Oliver, Solis vice president of marketing and client relations. “October’s intense focus on breast cancer actually creates anxiety for many women that sadly keeps them away from mammography centers for fear they’ll get a bad result. We want to remind women that the majority of our patients won’t get breast cancer in their lifetime; but if something uncharacteristic does appear, the earlier we find it, the easier their treatment options will be.”

Solis also wants women to know that all mammography providers are not the same. In other words, a mammogram is not just a mammogram.

Solis believes knowledge is power, and educated women are empowered women. Here are three things that most women don’t even know to ask about:

Choice: Women get to choose where they have their mammograms. It’s smart to put as much thought into the choice of your mammography provider as you do when choosing your doctor.

Technology: Ask if a center has three-dimensional (3D) technology – not all centers do. Also known as tomosynthesis, 3D is the newest medical technology in the quest for earlier detection. What’s the difference? Imagine a book with clear covers and pages. With 2D digital mammography, the radiologist must peer through the cover and all the pages at once, looking for a single word that does not have the same characteristics as all the other words. With 3D mammography images of the breast are taken in discreet 1mm slices, so the radiologist has the ability to look for that irregular word one “page” at a time. Research shows these increased views lead to a 37 percent reduction in unnecessary callbacks, saving time, money, and most importantly, anxiety.

Who reads the mammogram: Ask if a center has breast imaging specialists reading their screenings. Solis' breast-dedicated specialists are dedicated to the field of reading and researching breast tissue. They perform "batch reading", known to significantly improve accuracy. And, they are reguarly evaluated through intensive peer review by colleagues and through annual audits.

“There is a lot more to the annual screening than simply showing up at a center where your doctor tells you to go and hoping for the best,” says Oliver. “That’s why Solis wants women to reclaim the month of October and Rethink P.I.N.K. Instead of focusing on breast cancer awareness, the company urges women to think about October as breast health awareness, celebrating women with a positive message of empowerment.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. Other organizations cite every other year as the optimal time to get checked. Solis Mammography encourages women to talk to their doctor, explain their unique health history, and make the choice that’s right for them. When they are ready, however, Solis is there to offer an exceptional experience – eliminating stress and anxiety in every way possible.

“My annual mammogram revealed something ‘different’ from the previous year – something that couldn't be felt by monthly breast checks,” says Solis patient Patty Hill. “Two small surgeries later, I was a survivor with no need for radiation or chemo. Due to early detection by Solis, my only treatment is anti-estrogen tablets. I am one of the lucky ones. Will I continue with annual mammograms? You had better believe it!”

About Solis Mammography

Solis Mammography is a specialized healthcare provider focused exclusively on providing women an exceptional mammography experience. Headquartered in Addison, Texas, Solis currently operates 31 centers across four states – Texas, Arizona, Ohio and North Carolina. The company operates both wholly owned centers and multiple successful joint ventures with hospital partners. Solis provides a complete range of highly specialized breast health services including screening and diagnostic mammography (2D and 3D), computer-aided detection, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy and ultrasound-guided biopsy. For more information, visit www.SolisMammo.com, like them on Facebook, follow them on Pinterest and Twitter, or subscribe to their YouTube channel.

About Rethink P.I.N.K.

Solis Mammography created the Rethink P.I.N.K. campaign in 2015 to coincide with October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to shift the focus of pink messaging to issues around women’s breast health: P = Peace of Mind, I = Incredible Service, N = Not What You Think, and K = Knowledge Is Power.